Thursday, October 25, 2012

Earlier this month it was eluded to in the Grand Secretary's communication regarding the Grand Priory of the Scottish Reformed & Rectified Rite (CBCS) and the ability for Texas Masons to receive this degree. Word I am getting from a couple of people is that Texas Freemasons at this time are not allowed to receive the degrees of the CBCS per Grand Master. The issue is that I have not seen this edict, and it was talked around in previous communications.

As this develops I will share what I can.

EDIT: I recieved this today as a further explanation of the edict:
This is the Grand Masters decision, I hope this answers any questions.

QUESTION: May a member of a constituent Lodge of the Grand Lodge of Texas accept an invitation from the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, or any related Masonic body, to take the three “Masonic” degrees of the Grand Priory of the Scottish Reformed and Rectified Rite of the United States of America?
ANSWER:
To: All Past Grand Masters, All Grand Lodge Officers, All Constituent Lodges and All Texas Masons

Re: Grand Priory of the Scottish Reformed and Rectified Rite of the United States of America
WHEREAS, The Constitution and Laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas, Article III, paragraph 1, states “that the Grand Lodge shall be the supreme Masonic authority within the State of Texas,” and further states, that the Grand Lodge shall have the power to “enact and enforce all Laws and Regulations for the government of the Fraternity, and to alter, amend, and repeal the same at pleasure,” and
WHEREAS, it has come to the attention of the Trustees of the Grand Lodge of Texas that the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America, either directly or through a subordinate organization, is contemplating chartering subordinate bodies, purporting to be “Masonic” and with said organization being under the jurisdiction or direction of, or otherwise affiliated with, the Grand Priory of the Scottish Reformed and Rectified Rite of the United States of America, WHEREAS, the Grand Priory of the Scottish Reformed and Rectified Rite of the United States of America has been declared to be “irregular” by the Conference of Grand Masters of North America, and
WHEREAS, The Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar has requested that the Grand Lodge of Texas permit members of Texas Lodges to take three “Masonic” degrees of the Grand Priory of the Scottish Reformed and Rectified Rite by invitation only.

NOW, THEREFORE, as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas, the following decision is effective immediately:

That NO subordinate or affiliated body of the Grand Priory of the Scottish Reformed and Rectified Rite operating under the auspices of the Grand Priory of the Scottish Reformed and Rectified Rite or of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America shall be chartered, formed or permitted to operate within the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Texas. Further, that no Texas Mason witness or be involved in any way with the said Grand Priory of the Scottish Reformed and Rectified Rite degrees. Any Texas Mason who is currently a member of such shall immediately do whatever necessary to renounce membership in said organization.

Monday, October 22, 2012

October has become a very busy month for me, Masonically speaking. Every weekend has been full of something new for me in Freemasonry. On the 8th and 9th of October we had Grand Chapter and Grand Council here in Texas. This was my first "Grand" event, as I have never been to Grand Lodge during my time as a Freemason (mainly because I have yet to be elected as a Warden). During this I received the following two chair degrees:

The Order of High Priesthood: This degree is a side or "chair" degree, and is conferred upon present or part High Priests, which is done during the Grand Chapter's annual grand convocation. It tells the story of Abraham returning from the slaughter of kings, and his encounter with Melchizedek, High Priest of Salem. the degree was interesting to behold, and I would say anyone that meets the qualifications can and should take it. Another interesting note is that this degree is really despised by Evangelical Christians as being a mockery of Christ, I didn't see it when going through the degree, still some will always see what the want to see.

The Order of the Silver Trowel: This degree is also a side or "chair" degree and is conferred on past and present Illustrious Masters. This degree when performed properly is excellent to behold, in this degree the candidate is made to represent the young King Solomon in both sections. In the first section, the candidate learned of the conspiracy by his half-brother Adonijah, to wrest the throne from Solomon. He also learns of his mother (Bathsheba) interceding with the elder King David to precent this. After securing David's approval, Solomon is symbolically conducted to Gihon by Benaiah where he is duly obligated anointed and hailed as King by Nathan the prophet and Zadok, the High Priest. The second section when done properly (which was excellent when I received it), Solomon is brought before his dying father David and instructed. It was touching in the sense that every man who has faced an elder patriarch figure passing, knows the scene too well. Honestly, if you in your Masonic travels have the opportunity to receive this degree, you should.

On the 13th of October I was invited and initiated into the Order of St. Thomas of Acon, which is an honor I hold dearly. While there are those that believe that defined religious (Christian in all cases) orders within Freemasonry has no place, I would disagree. I found the oath within the Order of St. Thomas of Acon beautiful, and honestly one of the most touching oaths I have taken in my time in Freemasonry. I am greatly honored to be a part of this order.

On the 26th of October I will be initiated in the Order of Knight Masons, also referred to as the Green Degrees.

These degrees have really inspired me through further light in Freemasonry, I am very grateful for the companions and Sir Knights that performed them, my mind is still spinning trying to take it all in.

From Darkness to Light - So Mote It Be

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